Great Short Works of Leo Tolstoy Short Essay - Answer Key

1. What is Marya Alexandrovna's situation at the beginning of "Family Happiness"?

Marya is a 17-year-old woman whose mother has just died. She is living at her family's country estate with her sister, Sinya, and her governess, Katya,

2. What causes Marya's depression?

Marya is depressed because of her mother's death and also because of the harsh Russian winter, which makes her feel isolated in the country, so she yearns for Petersburg.

3. Describe the beginning of Marya's relationship with Sergey.

Sergey is a friend of Marya's father, and when he stops in for a visit he originally puts Marya off by his bouyant and extroverted personality. However, they soon become friendly as they recall their long-standing friendship.

4. What causes Sergey and Marya's relationship to blossom?

Sergey begins to visit more frequently and soon he begins to tease her about her coquettish ways and he makes her curious about practical things like planting and harvesting crops.